Improvement in sectional mattresses



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE BLOCK, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN SECTIONAL MATTRESSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,461, dated January 5,1875; application filed August 28, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE BLOCK, of Newport, Campbell county, Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Sectional Mattress, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to provide a mattress composed of a number of separable members or sections that can be readily uncoupled from each other when necessary, so as to facilitate handling and transportation of the same, as hereinafter more fully described.

Figure l is a perspective view of a mattress embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lower section of the same, the foot and body sections of the upper member being removed therefrom, and the head or bolster section shown in the act of being detached. Fig. 3 is a transverse section at the line X X. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the side members of the lower section of the mattress, and Figs. 5 and 6 are plans of modified forms of the lower section drawn on a reduced scale.

A and B represent, respectively, the upper and lower sections of my improved mattress, of which the upper one, A, is composed of three distinct and separable members, to wit: The head or bolster section C, the central or body section D, and the lower or foot section E. The bolster-section C may be capable of adjustment to any convenient angle bythe customary devices in use for that purpose. The separable sections C, D, and E are provided with springs F, that rest upon slats G, as shown in Fig. 3. H are loops or handles, wherewith the members C D E can be readily lifted from olf the lower section of the mattress. This lower section is composed of four side members, I, J, K, and L, two end members, M N, and an intermediate or transverse member, O, these seven separable sections being arranged with reference to each other, in the manner shown in Fig. 2. All ofthe aforesaid members I J K L M N O are provided with springs, arranged similarly to the ones shown at P in Fig. 3. Pivoted to the side members, at r, are straps E, whose slots r receive staples Q, that project upward from the end sections M N. Engaging with these staples are hooks S, that are pivoted to the aforesaid end members M N, and, when thus engaged, the sections I J M and K L N are thereby securely coupled together. Pivoted near the inner ends of sections I J, as at t, are straps T, whose slots t engage over staples U, projecting upward from members K L. Hooks V, secured to said members K L, and engaging with staples U, prevent straps T becoming unshipped. Transverse slots t are provided near the midlength of straps T for the reception of staples U', that are driven into the upper surface of intermediate section O. Pivoted to this section are hooks V', that engage with the aforesaid staples U. The straps T, slots t t, staples U U', and hooks V V serve to secure the inner ends of side members I J K L to the transverse or intermediate section O. Wis a system of additional hooks and staples that assist in securing the various members of the lower section in their proper position. X are cords that extend diagonally across, and connect together the side members I J and K L. Y are slats, upon which the lower section B of the mattress rests, said slats ybeing provided with pins y, that project upwardly, and enter suitable sockets in the several members composing said lower section. Projecting downward from the sections C, D, and E are pins Z, which enter oritices c', j, k, Z, and o in the members I, J, K, L, and O ofthe lower section. The object of these pins is to prevent the sections C D E shifting, either transversely or longitudinally.

In the modification shown by plan in Fig. 5 the lower section is represented as composed of only four members, to wit, two side pieces, l 2, and two end pieces, 3 4.

A yet simpler arrangement is shown in Fig. 6, where only two side pieces, l 2', are employed, the end pieces being omitted, and said side members being secured in position by the pins y of slats Y.

By making my mattress of two principal sections, A and B, it is not only rendered much lighter, but it is also much more durable than those in common use, as it is evident that the comparatively short springs employed by me are not so liable to sag down on either side, and thereby lose their proper shape, and

also their elasticity.

By simply detaching the various coupling devices the ten sections C D E I J K L M N O of the mattresscan be separated from each other, and carried piecemeal through any contracted hall, and into any narrow apartment in the house. This complete separation of the mattress into a number of comparatively-narrow component members is a great advantage, as the various sections are quite light and by no means bulky, thereby rendering it an easy matter for ladies to shift the bed from one room t0 another in a few minutes and without calling in eXtra help.

When any part of the mattress becomes worn or damaged such section can be carried by'hand to the upholsterer, and repaired, while the remaining portions are employed as a bed.l

It is also capable of being cleaned very readily,

as each section can be thoroughly inspected,

both in its sides, ends, top, and bottom.

I claim as my invention- 1. The divided mattress consisting of the upper section A, composed oi' separable members G D E, and the lower section B, composed of two or more separable members coupled together, substantially as described.

2. The coupling devices consisting of slotted straps It T, staples Q U U, and hooks S V V', in combination with the several members I J K L M N O of the lower section B, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE BLOCK.

Attest:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, W. H. WIRTH. 

